A FOUL smell which has plagued residents in part of Trowbridge is puzzling experts, after investigations by both the council and a local company failed to find the source.

The stench, compared by some people to that of a dead animal, has been noticed in the Canal Road and Hilperton Marina areas.

Cllr Trevor Carbin, the Wiltshire Council ward member for Staverton, said he had been contacted by a Hilperton Marina resident complaining.

“The complainant said it was a horrible smell, like cooking or cleaning,” he said.

Canal Road food producers apetito said they were aware of the complaints but were not to blame.

apetito spokesman Andrew Gape said they too had received complaints.

“A bad odour like a stale fish smell was reported to us on January 25.

“Our team conducted an odour inspection of our Canal Road site and during this they bumped into a team from Wiltshire Council who were also investigating the smell,” he said. “After the inspection, we confirmed the odour was not from apetito.

“This conclusion was based on the meals we were making that day, as well as the fact the smell was not contained to the Canal Road area.”

The company, which employs 528 people in Trowbridge, makes ready meals which are served up in care homes, hospitals and by councils and delivered direct to customers in their own homes.

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “We have received a general report of a foul smell in the Trowbridge area around two weeks ago.

“Before we can investigate further, we really need more specific information on the time, location or addresses affected.”